2024 ELKHART ELKS
Elkhart looking for a bounce back year in new district
2023 Record : 4-6
The Elkhart Elks are looking to get back on track after going 4-6 a year ago and dealing with a large string of injuries to key players in the Elk system .
Senior quarterback Trystyn Tidrow returns for one more season at the helm of the Elk offense , looking to make big strides , literally and figuratively , in his and the teams overall production .
Tidrow has an incredibly strong throwing arm , seemingly able to throw the ball great distances with the smallest flick of his wrist . When flushed out of the pocket , the senior gunslinger is more than capable of going around , or through , would be tacklers . This gives the offense more diversity in their play calling .
Beyond Tidrow , the Elks have enough pieces to have a strong 2024 season , returning both of their leading receivers in Jayden Chapman and Dalton Walker , running back Jackson Denney and all around star Bryant Lipsey , who is capable of playing almost every position on the field .
After spending last season with Palestine , Coyt Cooper will return to Elkhart this year , where he has gone to school most of his life , giving the Elks a reliable second quarterback .
In the trenches , Cooper Harris uses his high level football IQ and ceaseless energy to lead the Elks both offensively and defensively . As an offensive tackle , Harris sets the edge of the Elks line and protects the blind side of his quarterback . defensively , Harris ’ punishing play can rattle opponents , worrying more about getting hit then their job on the play .
Now going into his second year as the head coach of the Elks , Cody Day will be looking for young athletes to step up to take the mantle of Elks of seasons past , like Pablo Rodarte and LJ Smith .
Under the guidance of Day , the Elks showed tremendous improvement last year , and look to be ready to take the next step in their program ’ s development this coming season .
It will be an uphill fight for the Elks in their new district however , as District 11-3A Division 2 is heavy with talent , as the six other member schools posted a combined 39-28 overall record , with 16 of those losses coming from Winona and Buffalo . Arp , Troup , West Rusk , New Diana and Buffalo were all playoff teams a year ago as well , and will all look to return again this season .
Bryant Lipsey , Cooper Harris , Dalton Walker , Trystyn Tidrow and Erick Lira head into the year ready to show what the Elks are made of in Coach Cody Day ’ s second year .
ELKHART ELKS
16 | END ZONE | 2024